Breast cancer survivor Kelly Light created Renew the Breast Care Boutique on U.S. Highway 1 in North Palm Beach to help women who are battling breast cancer or are in recovery feel beautiful again. The boutique’s grand opening ceremony was held on Tuesday, Oct. 17.

Breast cancer survivors and friends and families of survivors gathered to watch Village of North Palm Beach Mayor, Darryl Aubrey, cut the pink ribbon and officially open the shop. At the ceremony, Light, along with other breast cancer survivors, spoke about their experiences and thanked the community for showing so much support for the cause.

“One of my favorite things about Kelly is how caring and giving she is to others. It’s been so fulfilling to help my best friend launch her new boutique because I know it will benefit so many women affected by breast cancer,” said Light’s longtime friend and business partner Staci Peters.

Light has had her physical therapy license for over twenty years, helping others to recovery from injuries, but in 2011, she found herself switching roles and becoming the one needing help when she was diagnosed with breast cancer herself.

“I was shocked when I found out the news that it was actually breast cancer. My children were only 5 and 7 and all I could think was, am I going to die?” said Light when talking to WPTV news anchor Alanna Quillen.

After winning her battle against cancer, she decided to create a place where women who are going through the same struggles she once did could feel comfortable and know they were not alone.

One of Light’s first customers, Cyndy Ryan, told WPBF, “It means a lot that she has gone through this process, because you don’t know what it is until you walk the walk.”

The store’s inventory is especially designed for women going through treatment. Products such as Mastectomy bras, active wear, post-surgical wear, swimwear, wigs, scarves and hats are personally fitted to customers by Light herself.

“Shops like Renew are extremely important in raising awareness for breast cancer; it needs as much advertising as it can get,” said Morgan Montanile, president of Jupiter High’s Think Pink Club supporting breast cancer research.

Think Pink and Renew are just a few examples of the special projects that positively affect our community and make breast cancer awareness month so important and special.